EP4058856A1

EP4058856A1 - Method for operating an electrical functional structure, multi-mode method, computer program product, device, and system

Info

Publication number: EP4058856A1
Application number: EP20807377.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sebastian HUMPEL
Original assignee: ARDEX GmbH
Current assignee: ARDEX GmbH
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2020-11-13
Publication date: 2022-09-21
Also published as: DE102019130966A1; WO2021094584A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating an electrical functional structure (10) for a boundary element (1) of a room of a building, the functional structure (10) having multiple functional elements (11) connected electrically to one another for performing at least one electrical function, one of the functional elements (11) forming a starting element (11.1) for initialising the electrical functional structure (10). The invention also relates to a multi-mode method (500), a computer program product (400), a device (2) for a boundary element (1) of a room of a building, and a system (3) having multiple devices (2).

Description

Method for operating an electrical functional structure, multiple operating method, computer program product, device and

system

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating an electrical functional structure, a multiple operating method, a computer program product, a device for performing an electrical function and a system with a plurality of devices.

Electrical heating and sensor structures for floors are known from the prior art. Such sensor structures are designed, for example, to detect a person in the room. If not only the presence of the person is to be recognized, but also their movement or their movement patterns, it is desirable to be able to distinguish positions within the sensor structures in space. This can be achieved in that the sensor structures are fixed, so that the positions of individual sensor areas are fixed at the factory. However, this has the disadvantage that the sensor structures cannot be adapted, or only with difficulty, to the geometries of rooms. This means that either only a small area of the room can be covered or different sensor structures can be coordinated manually, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, if individual functional elements within the sensor structure fail, for example, it may be desirable to be able to reconfigure the sensor structure in order to reinitialize data communication paths. In the case of heating structures, for example, electrical resistance heating is installed in the floor in order to be able to heat a room in a building. In order to be able to influence individual heating areas in a targeted manner, it can also be desirable for a heating structure to know the positions of individual heating areas in the room.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the above disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is a task of present invention to improve a calibration of an electrical functional structure, preferably so that a simplified installation of the functional structure is made possible.

The above object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1, a multi-operation method with the features of claim 16, a computer program product with the features of claim 17, a device with the features of claim 18 and a system with the features of claim 25 Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective

Subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the method according to the invention

Computer program product, the multi-operation method according to the invention, the device according to the invention and / or the system according to the invention and in each case vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is or can always be made.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for operating an electrical functional structure for a delimitation element of a room in a building is provided. The functional structure has several electrically interconnected functional elements for performing at least one electrical function. One of the functional elements forms a starting element for initializing the electrical functional structure. The method also includes the following steps:

- Receipt of a start signal by the start element, preferably from a control unit to which the start element can be or is connected,

Determining a first position of the start element within the functional structure as a function of the start signal,

Carrying out a position determination process in which a second functional element adjacent to the start element serves as the determination object and a second position of the determination object within the functional structure is determined taking into account the first position.

The delimitation element of a room in a building can preferably be a floor of the room. In this case, the floor can already be finished while the method is being carried out, ie, for example, it can already have a screed and / or a visible covering in the form of laminate, tiles or the like. However, it is also conceivable that the floor is not yet completely finished while the method is being carried out and is still in its raw state, ie, for example, only a basic framework is finished on which the electrical functional structure is or is being laid. Alternatively, the delimiting element can be, for example, a wall or a ceiling of the room.

The initialization of the functional structure can be understood to mean a calibration or readjustment of the functional structure. For this purpose, the steps of the method can be carried out immediately after the electrical functional structure has been laid in order to calibrate the electrical functional structure in space for the first time. Additionally or alternatively, the steps of the method can be carried out during an interruption of normal operation of the electrical functional structure in order to carry out a readjustment of the functional elements with regard to the positions and / or a data transmission to the control unit. For example, the method can be carried out if a further functional element is added to the functional structure. Additionally or alternatively, a position determination process for an additionally added functional element can be carried out and / or repeated.

The electrical functional structure can preferably have a flat extension. The electrical functional elements can preferably be individual, in particular mat-shaped, components of the functional structure, which are electrically connected to one another during laying. In particular, the functional elements can include sub-control units, preferably by means of which the method steps of the method can be carried out. The control unit can preferably be directly or indirectly connected to a sub-control unit of each of the functional elements. The control unit can advantageously be part of a control device and comprise at least one processor and / or microprocessor. Furthermore, the control unit can comprise an operating module for operating the electrical functional structure in normal operation. In normal operation, the electrical function of the electrical functional elements can advantageously be used and / or made available to a user. However, it is also conceivable that the control unit is a temporary and / or mobile control unit for the electrical functional structure, which is separated from the functional structure after the initialization of the electrical functional structure has been completed. It can be provided, for example, that the control unit is exchanged for a control unit for normal operation of the functional structure. The functional element that forms the starting element can functionally and / or structurally be identical to the other functional elements and in particular only be configured by its connection to the control unit and / or by receiving the start signal to the start element. However, it is also conceivable that the start element is designed differently to the other functional elements of the functional structure, preferably is designed uniquely within the functional structure. It can thus be provided that the positioning of the starting element is predetermined when the functional structure is laid, while the positioning of the remaining functional elements can be variable and / or individual.

The reception of the start signal by the start element can be preceded by the transmission of the start signal by the control unit. The start signal can in particular trigger the initialization of the functional structure. The start signal is preferably the only external pulse that is introduced into the functional structure for determining the positions of the functional elements. The determination of the first position can include that the starting element establishes or that the starting element is informed that it forms a root of the initialization process. For example, the first position can include a position of the start element relative to the control unit. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the first position forms a reference position to which all further positions that are determined when the functional structure is initialized are related.

The object to be determined during the position determination process can be understood to mean a functional element, the position of which is determined, in particular ascertained, within the functional structure as part of the position determination process. The fact that the second position is determined taking into account the first position can include that the second position is related to the first position. It is also conceivable that position data of the first position are processed in order to determine the second position. The position determination process can be carried out by the start element and / or by the determination object. Furthermore, in particular the determination of the first position can also be carried out by a position determination process in which the start element serves as the object to be determined.

The method according to the invention thus achieves improved operation of the electrical functional structure, in particular in that the positions within the functional structure can be determined, preferably for an individual geometry of the room. In particular, it is possible to determine a position within the functional structure for the second functional element, which position only occurs when the functional structure is laid is determined. As a result, it is not necessary, for example, for the second functional element to have a special design that has been previously determined for the geometry of the space. Furthermore, automation of the position determinations can be achieved in a simple manner if the positions of the functional elements are determined by the electrical functional structure itself and / or as a function of one another. A simplified relocation of the functional elements for the installation of the functional structure in the room can thereby be made possible if this can be carried out independently or essentially independently of the initialization and an assignment of the functional elements to positions within the functional structure.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that a position determination process is carried out for each further functional element adjacent to the start element, in which a further position of the further functional element is determined and / or that a position determination process is carried out for each further functional element of the electrical functional structure is, in each of which a further position, in particular as a function of a previously determined position of an adjacent functional element, of the further functional element is determined. The position-determining process can thus be carried out in particular recursively. The entire functional structure that is indirectly and / or directly connected to the start element can thereby preferably be initialized. In particular, several position determination processes can thus form a self-learning process through which the functional structure itself recognizes its geometric configuration, in particular as a function of a relocation of the functional elements and / or a geometry of the room. In this case, each of the further functional elements, for which the respective further position within the functional structure is determined, preferably forms the object of determination of the respective position determination process.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it is conceivable that the electrical functional structure has an electrical sensor function, in particular for detecting a person in the room, and / or an electrical heating function, in particular for heating the room, in particular wherein the functional elements each have at least one sensor unit to execute the sensor function and / or each comprise at least one heating unit for performing the heating function. The electrical functional structure can thus advantageously be a sensor structure, a heating structure or a combination of a sensor structure and a heating structure. The Functional elements can each form one or more sensor areas and / or heating areas that can be controlled and / or read out as a function of the positions. In particular, this enables the functional structure to be operated in normal operation, in which measurement data can be assigned and / or sent to the positions of the functional elements in the functional structure by the control unit as a function of the positions of the functional elements. In the case of a sensor function, it can be provided that the functional elements transmit their respective position to the control unit together with measurement data from the sensor function. The electrical sensor function can include, for example, a capacitive or an inductive measurement. Furthermore, it can be provided that the electrical functional elements include resistance elements that can be energized to perform the electrical heating function. It is conceivable that the electrical heating function is carried out at least partially as a function of the previously determined positions of the functional elements, so that in normal operation, for example, individual heating units can be specifically controlled and / or deactivated.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the position determination process comprises a transfer process in which the start element serves as a transmitter element, the transfer process comprising sending an initialization signal by the transmitter element to the destination object, in particular wherein the transfer process is actively carried out by the transmitter element becomes. The object to be determined is thus in particular a recipient element within the scope of the forwarding process. The transfer process can advantageously be carried out for each position determination process. If the position determination process is carried out for each of the functional elements within the functional structure, it can be provided that in each position determination process a functional element serves as a determination object and a functional element adjacent to the determination object is the transmitter element. Thus, the forwarding process can preferably be carried out recursively. The active execution of the transfer process by the transmitter element can be understood to mean that the transfer process is initiated by the transmitter element. In particular, the initialization signal can be generated by the transmitter element. Thus, when the forwarding process is actively carried out, the forwarding process is in particular not started by the control unit or the initialization signal is not sent out by the control unit. As a result, after the start signal has been sent out, the functional structure can initialize the functional structure at least essentially independently of the Carry out the control unit yourself. For example, after determining its position, each of the functional elements can determine whether further functional elements are connected to it and are adjacent to it. For this purpose, a ping and / or a wake-up call can be sent out before the transfer process is carried out. The determining functional element can then serve as a transmitter element and a position determination process can be carried out for each of the adjacent functional elements by starting and / or executing a forwarding process by the transmitter element. It is conceivable that the start signal which the start element receives is the same as the initialization signal in the signal structure and / or the transmitted data. The start signal can thus be an initialization signal. For example, the start signal and the initialization signal can only include different path, position and / or direction data.

In a method according to the invention, provision can preferably be made for the position determination process to include an orientation process in which an, in particular rotational, orientation of the object to be determined takes place in the functional structure, preferably as a function of the initialization signal, in particular the orientation process being actively carried out by the object to be determined. The active execution of the orientation process can be understood to mean that the orientation process is carried out by the destination object when it receives the initialization signal. Thus, when the forwarding process is actively carried out, the forwarding process is in particular not started by the control unit or the initialization signal is not sent out by the control unit. On the basis of the orientation, the object to be determined can determine its own position relative to the transmitter element of the forwarding process. In particular, the orientation can include a rotational orientation of the object to be determined, ie its position in relation to the transmitter element and / or to the control unit in relation to an axis of rotation of the object to be determined. Alignment of the functional elements during laying can thereby be simplified. In particular, the alignment can thereby take place independently of a rotational orientation. Furthermore, the functional elements can have several functional units, the position of which can be determined and / or assigned by the orientation process. For the orientation process, the functional element can have a fixed number of electrical data connections. In particular, the orientation process can take place as a function of a direction in which the initialization signal is received by the object to be determined. For example, the destination object can determine from which direction the initialization signal is Object of destination has reached, and thereby infer its own rotational orientation. Here, in particular, the direction data can be incorporated into the determination of the rotational orientation. In particular, the transfer process can be carried out again, in which the second functional element serves as a transmitter element and a third functional element adjacent to the second functional element serves as a determination object. An orientation process in which the third functional element serves as the object of determination can then be carried out again. In particular, each of the functional elements of the functional structure can serve first as a determination object and then as a transmitter element for a transfer process. In particular, the orientation can include connection directions, for example in the form of, in particular virtual, cardinal directions.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention it can advantageously be provided that the first and / or second position is defined by at least one coordinate, in particular by a coordinate tuple, in particular wherein the first position, the second position or a further position forms a coordinate origin for the coordinate . The coordinate or the coordinate tuple can represent a simple option for assigning the positions within the functional structure. The coordinate tuple can preferably enable a two-dimensional assignment of the positions over an area of the delimiting element. For example, the coordinates can include a number of functional elements for the start element and / or for the control unit, in particular for each direction or for two directions. If the first position forms the origin of coordinates, all further positions can advantageously be related to the first position. As a result, a reference to the control unit and / or to the start element is automatically established, so that a relative position to the control unit and / or to the start element can be determined or assigned indirectly or directly by means of the coordinate or the coordinate tuple based on each position. In particular, by defining the coordinate origin at the first position, a coordinate origin can be achieved that lies within the functional structure and within the space. The control unit can thus be arranged, for example, on the wall side in the room or in another room without the positions of the functional elements within the functional structure being influenced thereby. It is conceivable that the coordinate origin is assigned to a functional element, in particular the start element, within the functional structure. In particular, the coordinate origin can be determined by the control unit and / or the control device. In particular, the other Position of a further functional element and / or all positions are each defined by at least one coordinate and / or a coordinate tuple.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the initialization signal includes position data of the transmitter element, the start element and / or the control unit, in particular on the basis of which the coordinates of the second position are determined. The position data can in particular include the position of the transmitter element. The object to be determined can preferably determine its own position during the position determination process on the basis of the initialization signal, in particular on the basis of the transmitted position data. In particular, the position data can include at least one coordinate or a coordinate tuple.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it is conceivable that the transmission element sends the initialization signal along at least one forwarding direction, the initialization signal comprising direction data of the forwarding direction, in particular the directional data being determined by the transmitter element. The own position of the object to be determined during the position determination process can preferably take place on the basis of the transmitted position data, the directional data and the orientation of the object to be determined. In this way, the object to be determined can use the transmitted position data of the transmitter element to determine a neighboring position of the transmitter element, i.e., for example, to recognize which coordinate tuple is further developed to determine its own position. The directional data can transmit to the object to be determined which of the coordinates of a coordinate tuple of the position data is further developed in order to determine one's own position. The orientation also offers the possibility of starting a further position determination process for functional elements that are adjacent to the object to be determined.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the forwarding direction is predetermined by a connection position of the transmitter element at which the receiver element is connected to the transmitter element, in particular each of the functional elements having the same number of connection positions in a pre-assembly state. For example, when installing the functional structure, electrical connections of adjacent functional elements can be connected, as a result of which the connection positions can be predetermined. The pre-assembly state can in particular be understood to mean a delivery state of the functional elements prior to the installation of the functional structure in the room. It can be provided be that the functional elements are modified in their form during installation, for example to be adapted to the geometry of the room, whereby connection positions of individual functional elements can be omitted or added. By means of the connection positions, the directional data, in particular by the transmitter element, can be defined as a function of the connection position via which the initialization signal is sent. As a result, individual directional data can be sent to each neighboring functional element by the transmitter element. Preferably, each of the functional elements can have four connection positions in the pre-assembly state. This enables a two-dimensional assignment of the positions within the functional structure to be made possible in a simple manner. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the functional elements are partially designed as sub-elements, preferably as half-elements. For example, the sub-elements can have fewer connection positions than other functional elements. Partial elements can preferably be provided which have half of the connection positions or three quarters of the connection positions. The partial elements can provide an advantageous possibility of adapting the functional structure to a special spatial geometry without cutting the functional elements.

It is also conceivable in a method according to the invention that a cut, in particular for adapting the functional structure to a geometry of the room, at least one of the functional elements of the functional structure, in particular by a control unit connected to the starting element and / or the cut functional element, is recognized. The cut can comprise a reduction of a shape of the cut functional element. By recognizing the blank, for example, an edge of the functional structure can be recognized. Furthermore, depending on the scope of the blank, it can be determined whether the cut functional element can still be used for the execution of the electrical function or whether the cut functional element has become unusable as a result of the cut. The detection of the cut can trigger an error output for the cut functional element on the control unit and / or a, in particular weighted, use of measurement data from the cut functional element for normal operation of the functional structure.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the method comprises the following step: Establishing a communication channel between the object to be determined and a control unit connected to the start element, in particular after the position determination process.

A communication channel with the control unit can preferably be established for each of the functional elements. The communication channels can each be established directly after a position determination process or after position determination processes have been carried out for each of the functional elements within the functional structure. In particular, a future or current signal path between the control unit and the functional elements can be determined by the communication channel. This ensures that a short signal path is made possible even with several electrical connections between each functional element and further functional elements in normal operation or during initialization. By defining the communication channel for the destination object, in particular each destination object, within the scope of the method, it is not necessary to define the communication channel when installing the functional structure. In this way, the functional structure can itself define communication channels, in particular depending on its individual configuration.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a method according to the invention that the initialization signal includes route data for the communication channel between the control unit and the destination object, in particular wherein the route data includes a shortest signal path. In particular, an ideal, in particular the shortest, signal path to the control unit can be communicated to the object to be determined by the transmitter element. The shortest signal path can be understood to be the signal path that is shortest in length and / or the signal path that is shortest in time. If several signal paths are of the same length, the first recognized signal path can be selected. For example, it can be provided within the functional structure that several initialization signals from adjacent functional elements reach the object to be determined via different connection positions. The connection position for the communication path from which the object to be determined receives the first initialization signal can be determined. In order to determine the communication channel, it is therefore not necessary for each functional element to know the positions of all of the functional elements within the functional structure. Instead, the route data can be passed on to one another by the functional elements in a simple manner along the forwarding direction, in particular within the framework of the initialization signal. As a result, the functional structure can be independent of the control unit, at least during initialization be further strengthened. However, it is also conceivable that the communication channel is coordinated by the control unit and / or is subsequently adapted. This means that the data traffic for the operation of the functional structure can be rerouted at a later date.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that when the communication channel is established, a coordination process takes place between the control unit and the functional elements in order to send measurement data and / or control data along the communication channel in normal operation. The tuning process can be carried out unilaterally by the control unit, for example, or in a dialog between the functional elements and the control unit. The tuning process can advantageously be carried out as a function of the path, position and / or direction data, in particular the position determination processes. This enables the communication to be optimized for normal operation. During the coordination process, for example, a communication strategy can be determined via the communication channel. Additionally or alternatively, the communication strategy can be established or adapted in normal operation, in particular as a function of the situation. A communication strategy for transmitting the measurement data to the control unit can, for example, be a collective shipment, in particular in the form of a batch upload, in which a data packet is created to which each functional element along the communication channel adds measurement data, and / or an individual shipment, in particular in the form of an event upload , in which a data packet is created which is forwarded, in particular only, along the communication channel by the respective functional elements. A communication strategy for transmitting the control data from the control unit to the functional elements can, for example, be a broadcast, in particular in the form of a broadcast, in which each of the functional elements receives the control data, and / or an individual call, in particular in the form of a targeted package, in which the control data is transmitted along of the communication channel can be forwarded by the functional elements arranged in the communication channel. As a result of the coordination process, in particular by defining the communication strategy, the functional structure can be automatically prepared for normal operation. Furthermore, for example, test communication with the communication strategy can take place via the communication channel in order to check the communication channel. For example, event-based sensor data can be sent to the control unit via the event upload mode, and calibration settings can be passed on from the control unit to the functional elements in the form of a broadcast and / or Temperature measured values can be collected and transmitted to the control unit in the form of a batch upload on request of the control unit.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention it can advantageously be provided that a map is created for the positions of the functional elements, in particular the map being a sensor module, in particular the control unit, for local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas of the map and / or a heating module, in particular the control unit , is made available for the local control of the heating function of individual heating areas of the card. The card can be created decentrally by the sub-control units and / or centrally by the control unit. The card can be a virtual card. The card can be made available to individual or all modules of the control unit in order to carry out the respective functions in normal operation. However, it is also conceivable that the card is made available to a user. In particular, it can be provided that the functional structure can be controlled by the user via the card. In particular, it can be provided that the heating function can be deactivated separately for each heating area. In this way, local overheating can be avoided and / or unnecessary areas, in which e.g. furniture is arranged, can be excluded from the heating function. It is also conceivable that the sensor function can be deactivated locally. Furthermore, information about the room can be made accessible to the user through the card. In addition, the card can be used to check the functionality of the functional structure in a simple manner after installation or during normal operation. In particular, a separate control for controlling the sensor function can be configured by the sensor module and a separate control circuit for regulating the heating function can be configured by the heating module.

Furthermore, in a method according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that the position determination process takes place at least partially or completely via the electrical connection of the functional elements. It can be provided that the control unit is electrically connected to the functional elements. Advantageously, electrical energy and / or electrical signals can be transmitted via the electrical connection. In particular, the transmission element can send the initialization signal to the destination object via the electrical connection. It is also conceivable that the position data are transmitted via the electrical connection. Furthermore, the reception of the start signal and the determination of the first position of the start element, preferably all of the method steps of the Method by means of which the electrical connection of the functional elements takes place. The electrical connection can, for example, be wired and / or formed by electrical contacts of the functional elements. For example, the electrical connection can also be formed by the electrical connections, at which two or more functional elements and / or sub-control units can be connected to one another in order to form the electrical functional structure. The electrical connection can advantageously comprise several individual connectors. In particular, the functional elements and / or the sub-control units can be at least partially integrated into the electrical connection. Signal transmission can thus take place without the need to establish a wireless connection.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a multiple operating method for operating a plurality of electrical functional structures is provided. This includes

Multi-operation procedure, the following steps:

Carrying out a method according to the invention for operating a

Functional structure for each of the functional structures,

Merging of spatial data of the functional structures depending on

Positions of functional elements of the functional structures.

A multiple operation method according to the invention thus brings the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention. The spatial data can in particular include the positions of the functional elements. For example, the spatial data can include the coordinates of the functional elements. It is also conceivable that each functional structure is assigned its own coordinate system. The spatial data for each functional structure can include the coordinate origin and / or a position of the coordinate origin in relation to the control system or a specific functional structure. In particular, when merging the spatial data, decentralized coordinate systems of the functional structures can be merged centrally and / or converted into a single central coordinate system. Using the room data, a geometry in particular can be brought together centrally over a number of rooms in order to be able to control these centrally in normal operation and / or to be able to make them available to a user.

In a multi-operating method according to the invention, one map can preferably be used for positions of the functional elements of the functional structures and / or for the functional structures are created, in particular the card being made available to a sensor module of the control system for local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas of the card and / or a heating module of the control system for local control of the heating function of individual heating areas of the card. In particular, the map can be created when the spatial data is merged.

According to a further aspect of the invention is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one control device, which has a plurality of sub-control units, and preferably at least one control unit, which cause at least one control device to implement a method according to the invention and / or a multi-operation method according to the invention to execute.

The control unit and the sub-control units can in particular jointly form a control device. For this purpose, the control unit can be in communication with at least one of the sub-control units or with all of the sub-control units. Furthermore, the sub-control units can be in communication with one another. The computer program product can preferably be implemented as a computer-readable instruction code in a programming language such as, for example, JAVA or C, in particular in the control device. The computer program product can also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as a data disc, a removable drive, a volatile or non-volatile memory, a built-in memory and / or a processor. The instruction code can program a computer or other programmable devices such as the control device, ie in particular the control unit and the sub-control units, in such a way that the method steps are carried out. Furthermore, the computer program product can be provided and / or be provided in a network such as the Internet, for example, from which it can be downloaded by a user if required. The computer program product can be implemented and / or implemented both by means of a computer program, ie software, and by means of one or more special electronic circuits, ie in hardware, or in any hybrid form, ie by means of software components and hardware components. In order to carry out the multiple operation method, a plurality of control units of one or more control devices can preferably form a control system. The computer program product can preferably include commands which, when executed by the control system, cause the control system to execute a multi-operation method according to the invention. The Subcontrol units are controlled in particular when carrying out the method according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a device for a delimitation element of a room of a building is provided. The device has a functional structure for performing an electrical function, the functional structure comprising a plurality of functional elements electrically connected to one another. The device also has a control unit for controlling the functional structure. Each of the functional elements also has a sub-control unit. One of the functional elements of the functional structure forms a start element for initializing the functional structure. The sub-control unit of the start element can be or is connected to the control unit. The sub-control unit of the start element also has a start module for receiving a start signal from the control unit and a start position determination module for determining a first position of the start element within the functional structure as a function of the start signal. At least one second functional element adjacent to the starting element has a position determination module for determining a second position of the second functional element as the object of determination of a position determination process, taking into account the first position.

In a device according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the sub-control units, in particular together with the control unit, form a control device which is designed to carry out a method according to the invention. In particular, the modules of the control unit and the sub-control units, preferably the start module, the start position determination module and the position determination module, can be designed to carry out a method according to the invention. In particular, a device according to the invention has the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention. The sub-control units can each have, in particular, at least one decentralized processor and / or microprocessor. Furthermore, the sub-control units can be integrated into the functional elements. The functional elements can preferably have a plurality of layers in which the sub-control units can be at least partially embedded. Preferably, all functional elements of the functional structure are structurally identical. The starting position determination module can be designed as part of a position determination module or in the same way as the position determination module. In particular, all functional elements can be Have start position determination module, preferably which can be deactivated if the respective functional element does not form a start element within the functional structure. The functional elements can preferably be designed in the manner of a plate and / or a mat. The control unit can also be integrated into the start element and / or be designed in one piece with the sub-control unit of the start element. The modules can be, for example, memory allocations and / or memory areas of the control unit. It is also conceivable that the modules form part of a computing unit.

This enables improved operation of the electrical functional structure to be achieved, in particular in that the positions within the functional structure can be determined, preferably for an individual geometry of the room. In particular, it is not necessary, for example, for the second functional element to have a special design that was previously determined for the geometry of the room. Furthermore, automation of the position determinations can be achieved in a simple manner if the positions of the functional elements are determined at least partially or completely by the sub-control units. A simplified relocation of the functional elements for installing the functional structure in the room can thereby be made possible. In particular, all of the functional elements of the functional structure are at least indirectly connected to one another. The electrical connection of the functional elements and / or the subcontrol units are preferably designed so that the position determination process takes place at least partially or completely via the electrical connection of the functional elements. Advantageously, electrical energy and / or electrical signals can be transmitted via the electrical connection.

Furthermore, in a device according to the invention it can advantageously be provided that the functional elements include sensor units for performing an electrical sensor function, in particular for detecting a person in the room, and / or heating units for performing an electrical heating function, in particular for warming the room. In particular, the electrical function can be the sensor function and / or the heating function. The functional elements can have a layer-like composite, one layer being designed as a sensor layer and / or one layer being designed as a heating layer. The functional elements can preferably be designed in a film-like and / or flexible manner. Installation with the delimitation element can thereby be improved. The sensor units can have capacitive and / or inductive sensors. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the Sensor units have other sensors for performing the electrical sensor function. The heating units can have one or more resistance elements which can be heated by being energized.

Furthermore, in a device according to the invention, it can advantageously be provided that each of the sub-control units of the functional elements has a forwarding module for executing a forwarding process, with the respective functional element and / or the start element serving as a transmitter element during the forwarding process, and the transmitter element sending an initialization signal to the Determination object is executable. As a result, the sub-control units can initiate or control the transfer process, in particular autarkic or essentially autarkic from the control unit. For this purpose, the forwarding module can have an interface for electrical connection to an interface of the object to be determined.

Furthermore, it is conceivable in a device according to the invention that each of the sub-control units of the functional elements comprises an orientation module for executing an orientation process, wherein during the orientation process an, in particular rotary, orientation of the object to be determined in the functional structure, in particular as a function of the initialization signal, can be executed. The orientation module can for example comprise a memory unit in which assignments of connection directions to electrical connections of the respective functional element are stored. As a result, the reception of the initialization signal can be assigned to a connection direction and the orientation of the object to be determined can be determined as a function of direction data of the initialization signal.

Furthermore, in a device according to the invention it can advantageously be provided that each of the sub-control units of the functional elements has several, preferably four, electrical connections for a communication connection with neighboring functional elements and / or with the control unit, in particular with each of the functional elements having the same number of connection positions in a pre-assembly state having. The functional elements can be connected in a defined manner through the connections. This can simplify the installation of the functional structure in the room. With four electrical connections, coordinates can be easily assigned. If, for example, the connections are arranged in the middle on each side of a functional element, only four orientations can be made possible when installing the functional structure due to the design. This can prevent incorrect installation and an orientation process can be simplified if the orientation is only determined from one of four possible orientations. Each connection can preferably comprise a plurality of electrical contacts through which a current and / or signal transmission is made possible. Each connection can preferably be designed for signal transmission at a voltage of 3.3V level. Furthermore, each connection can be designed for operation at a voltage of 24V and / or for operation at a mains voltage, such as 230V, for power transmission. Furthermore, it is conceivable that each connection is designed for connection to two separate circuits, in particular to a heating circuit and a signal circuit for a sensor function of the functional elements.

In a device according to the invention, it can preferably be provided that the control unit has a map module for creating a map for the positions of the functional elements, and / or that the control unit has a sensor module for local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas, in particular as a function of the map, and / or a heating module for the local control of the heating function of individual heating areas, in particular as a function of the map. In particular, the card can be an internal card that is only available to the control unit and / or the sub-control units. The sub-control units can each have decentralized sensor modules or heating modules, which can be brought into communication with the sensor module or the heating module of the control unit. The map module can comprise a memory unit in which the positions of the functional elements are stored in order to create the map.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a system with a plurality of devices according to the invention is provided. Several control units, in particular several control devices or one control device, of the devices form a control system for merging spatial data of the functional structures as a function of positions of functional elements of the functional structures.

In particular, the control system is designed to cause the system to carry out a multiple operation method according to the invention. The control system preferably has a central module for merging the spatial data. A system according to the invention thus brings the same advantages as have already been described in detail with reference to a device according to the invention, a method according to the invention and / or a multi-operation method according to the invention. The Control system can be fully integrated into a control unit. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the sub-control units are integrated into the control system. In normal operation, the system can preferably be able to control several devices separately or as a function of one another. Thus, only one control device can be sufficient to operate several devices and / or several rooms. It is conceivable that the devices are only connected to one another via the control system.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control system has a map module for creating a map for the positions of the functional elements, and / or that the control system has a sensor module for local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas, in particular depending on the map, and / or a heating module for the local control of the heating function of individual heating areas, in particular as a function of the map. Thus, geometry data of several functional structures and / or several rooms of the building can be mapped on the map.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention for operating an electrical functional structure in a first exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows a process sequence of the process in a schematic representation from FIG

Procedural steps,

FIG. 3 a determination of a first position of a starting element of the device,

FIG. 4 a determination of a second position of a second functional element of

Contraption,

FIG. 5 a determination of a further position of a further functional element of the device, FIG. 6 shows a position determination process of the method,

Figure 7a + b show a side view and a top view of a functional element of the device,

FIG. 8 shows a communication channel in the device,

FIG. 9 shows a communication channel between a control unit and a sub-control unit of the device,

FIG. 10 a card for the device,

FIG. 11 shows a system according to the invention with several devices,

FIG. 12 shows a multiple operation method according to the invention.

In the following description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, identical reference symbols are used for the same technical features in different exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a device 2 according to the invention with an electrical functional structure 10, which is laid on a delimitation element 1, in particular in the form of a floor, of a room in a building and / or is integrated in the delimitation element 1. The functional structure 10 has a plurality of functional elements 11 which are electrically connected to one another in a regular pattern. Furthermore, the functional structure 10 is electrically connected to a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is arranged in particular at a central point in the room. As shown in FIG. 7b, the functional elements 11 have sub-control units 30 which, in particular for normal operation, can be brought into communication with the control unit 20 via a communication path 210 as shown in FIG. The control unit 20 with sub-control units 30 of the functional elements 11 preferably forms a control device 50 for the functional structure 10.

FIG. 2 shows a method 100 according to the invention for operating the electrical functional structure 10 in a schematic representation of method steps. The method 100 is preferably implemented by a computer program product 400 executable, which comprises commands 401 in order to cause the control device 50, ie in particular the control unit 20 and the sub-control units 30, to execute the method 100. As shown in FIG. 3, one of the functional elements 11 of the functional structure 10 is in particular directly connected to the control unit 20. In the method 100, a start signal 200 is received 101 from the control unit 20 by the functional element 11, in particular directly connected to the control unit 20, which forms a start element 11. 1 for initializing the electrical functional structure 10. In particular, the start signal 200 is received 101 by a start module 31 of the sub-control unit 30 of the start element 11.1. Depending on the start signal 200, a first position 301 of the start element 11.1 is determined 102, in particular by a start position determination module 32 of the subcontrol unit 30 of the start element 11.1 within the functional structure 10. In particular, the start element 11.1 can use the start signal 200 to recognize that it is the start element 11.1 is used within the functional structure 10. The first position 301 is directly adjacent to the control unit 20 and in particular forms a starting point for determining further positions 302, 303 of further functional elements 11 of the functional structure 10.

For this purpose, a position determination process 110 takes place according to FIG. 4, in particular via the electrical connection of the functional elements 11, for at least one second functional element 11.2 of the functional structure 10 adjacent to the start element 11.1, in particular through a position determination module 33 of a subcontrol unit 30 of the second functional element 11.2. The second functional element 11.2 serves as a determination object 110.1 for the position determination process 110, i.e. a second position 302 of the determination object 110.1 within the functional structure 10 is determined by the position determination process 110.

A position determination process 110 is shown in FIG. To determine the position 302 of the object 110.1 to be determined, the position determination process 110 comprises a forwarding process 111, in particular by a forwarding module 34 of the subcontrol unit 30 of the second functional element 11.2, and an orientation process 112, in particular by an orientation module 35 of the subcontrol unit 30 of the second functional element 11.2. For the

Position determination process 110 according to FIG. 3, the start element 11.1 serves in the forwarding process 111 as a transmitter element 111.1, from which a

Initialization signal 201 to the destination object 110.1 in the form of the second Functional element 11.2 is transmitted. The initialization signal 201 comprises path data 202, position data 203 and direction data 204. The path data 202 can comprise the shortest signal path from the start element 11.1 to the control unit 20 (shown in FIG. 1 for the functional elements 11 in each case with dashed lines), so that the second functional element 11.2 has its own signal path can determine on the basis of the route data 202. However, it is also conceivable that the route data 202 have already been prepared for the second functional element 11.2 by the start element 11.1 and contain the shortest signal path. The position data 203 preferably include coordinates 300. A coordinate system for the coordinates 300 is shown in FIG. 10, for example. The starting element 11.1 forms the root for the coordinates 300, so that all further positions 302, 303 are related to the starting element 11.1. The position data 203 can contain coordinates 300 of the first position 301 of the starting element 11.1 and can be made available to the second functional element 11.2 so that the second functional element 11.2 can determine its own coordinates 300. However, it is also conceivable that the position data 203 have already been prepared for the second functional element 11.2 from the start element 11.1 and contain the coordinates 300 of the second position 302 of the second functional element 11.2. The direction data 204 are processed by the second functional element 11.2 as part of the orientation process 112.

In order to create the direction data 204, a rotational orientation 310 of the starting element 11.1 is preferably determined before the position determination process 110. The start element 11.1 can determine the orientation 310 as a function of the start signal 200 and a connection position C via which the start signal 200 reaches the start element 11.1. The functional elements 11 each include four connection positions A, B, C, D. Furthermore, the functional elements 11 each have a sub-control unit 30 with an orientation module 35 for determining the respective orientation 310. From the fact that the start element 11.1 is connected directly to the control unit 20 and the start signal 200 reaches the start element 11.1 via the connection position C, the start element 11.1 can determine its orientation 310 by setting the connection positions A, B, C, D orientation directions 311, 312, 313, 314, which result from the connection position C of the start signal 200. The direction data 204 for the orientation process 112 for the second functional element 11.2 can advantageously include the orientation direction 311, 312, 313, 314, along which the initialization signal 201 is sent. Furthermore, the orientation process 112 can be carried out as a function of the path data 202. The second functional element 11.2 can determine its orientation 310 on the basis of the direction data 204. According to FIG. 4, the second functional element 11.2 receives the initialization signal 201 at a connection position A with the direction data 204, which include that the initialization signal 201 is sent along a fourth orientation direction 314. Consequently, the connection position A is oriented in a second orientation direction 312 opposite to the fourth orientation direction 314, the further assignments of the further orientation directions 311, 313, 314 and the further connection positions B, C, D result accordingly.

If the second position 302 of the second functional element 11 .2 has been determined, a further position determination process 110 can be carried out for the further functional elements 11.3 adjacent to the second functional element 11.2, as shown in FIG. The second functional element 11.2 serves as a transmitter element 111.1 for forwarding processes 111 and the further functional elements 11.3 serve as determination objects 110.1 in order to determine their further positions 303 within the functional structure 10.

By determining the positions 301, 302, 303, a communication channel 210 can be defined 103, in particular along the shortest signal path, for each of the functional elements 11 between the respective functional elements 11 and the control unit 20, as shown in FIG. 8 as an example for one of the functional elements 11 shown. For this purpose, a coordination process 103.1 can be carried out between the control unit 20 and the respective sub-control unit 30 or the sub-control units 30 in order to coordinate a communication strategy. In normal operation and / or a test operation, measurement data 211 can be sent via communication channel 210 from functional elements 11 to control unit 20 and / or control data 212 can be transmitted from control unit 20 to functional elements 11. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a blank 40 of at least one of the functional elements 11 of the functional structure 10, in particular by the control unit 20 and / or the tailored functional element 11, is recognized and assigned to the positions 301, 302, 303.

The functional elements 11 can preferably be designed according to FIGS. 7a and 7b. FIG. 7a shows a side view of a functional element 11 in a cross section. The functional element 11 has a flat plate-like and / or mat-like design and has connections 16 in the middle on the sides of the functional element 11, which define the connection positions A, B, C, D. Furthermore, the functional element 11 has a Sensor unit 13 for performing a sensor function, in particular for detecting a person in a room, and / or a heating unit 14 for performing a heating function, in particular for heating the room. The sensor unit 13 can preferably form a plurality of sensor areas and / or the heating unit can form a plurality of heating areas, each of which can be read out and / or controlled separately. As shown in FIG. 7 b, a sub-control unit 30 is arranged in the middle of the functional element 11, preferably embedded in the sensor unit 13 and / or the heating unit 14. The control unit 20 preferably has a sensor module 22 for controlling the sensor units 13 and / or a heating module 23 for controlling the heating units 14. In this case, a separate control for controlling the sensor function and / or a separate control circuit for regulating the heating function can preferably be formed by the sensor module 22.

FIG. 10 also shows a map 304 which is created for the positions 301, 302, 303 of the functional elements 11, in particular by a map module 21 of the control unit 20. The functional elements 11 can be individually controlled by the card. This enables local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas and / or local control of the heating function of individual heating areas. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the card 304 is made available to a user, for example in order to transmit information about a functionality of the functional structure 10 to the user. For example, an installation of the functional structure 10 can be checked using the card 304. Furthermore, for example, a spatial geometry, in particular with the display of the blank 40, can be mapped on the map 304.

FIG. 11 shows a system 3 according to the invention with a plurality of devices 2. Each of the devices 2 has a functional structure 10 with a plurality of functional elements 11. Each functional element 11 also has at least one sub-control unit 30. Furthermore, the functional structures 10 are each connected to control units 20 for controlling the respective functional structure 10. At least the control units 20 form a control system 51. For this purpose, the control units 20 can be integrated into a common control device, for example. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable that the control units 20 together with the sub-control units 30 form the control system 51. In particular, the system 3 can be operated by a multiple operation method 500, as shown in FIG. A method 100 for operating the respective functional structure 10 for each of the functional structures 10 is carried out 501. The method 100 can preferably be a method 100 according to FIG. In doing so, positions 301, 302, 303 of functional elements 11 of functional structures 10 are determined. Positions 301, 302, 303 form spatial data 510, which enable conclusions to be drawn about geometric properties of functional structures 10 and / or of rooms in a building in which functional structures 10 are installed. As part of the multiple operation method 500, the room data 510 are therefore merged 502. As a result, a map 304 can be created for several rooms in the building, for example. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, in normal operation, a plurality of functional structures 10 can be controlled by just one control device, in particular separately or as a function of one another. The multi-operation method 500 can preferably be executed by commands 401 of a computer program product 400 according to the invention. The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided that they are technically sensible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

References

1 floor

2 device

3 system

10 Functional Structure

11 functional element

11.1 Start element

11.2 second functional element

11.3 further functional element

13 sensor unit

14 heating unit

16 connection

20 control unit

21 card module

22 sensor module

23 heating module

30 sub-control unit

31 start module

32 start positioning module

33 Positioning module

34 Transfer module

35 Orientation module

40 cut

50 control device

51 control system

100 procedures

101 receiving 200

102 Determine 301

103 Set 210

103.1 Voting process

110 Positioning Process

110.1 Object of determination

111 Transfer Process

111.1 transmitter element

112 Orientation process 200 start signal

201 initialization signal

202 route data

203 Position data

204 Direction data

210 communication channel

211 measurement data

212 tax data

300 coordinate

301 first position

302 second position

303 further position

304 card

310 Orientation

311 first direction of orientation

312 second direction of orientation

313 third direction of orientation

314 fourth direction of orientation

400 computer program product

401 commands

500 multiple operation procedures

501 Perform 100

502 Merge 510

510 room data

Connection position

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method (100) for operating an electrical functional structure (10) for a delimitation element (1) of a room in a building, the functional structure (10) having a plurality of electrically interconnected functional elements (11) for performing at least one electrical function, one of the Functional elements (11) forms a starting element (11.1) for initializing the electrical functional structure (10), comprising the following steps:

Receiving (101) a start signal (200) by the start element (11.1),

Determining (102) a first position (301) of the start element (11.1) within the functional structure (10) as a function of the start signal (200),

Carrying out a position determination process (110) in which a second functional element (11.2) adjacent to the start element (11.1) serves as the determination object (110.1) and a second position (302) of the determination object (110.1) within the functional structure (10) is determined below The first position (301) is taken into account.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a position determination process (110) is carried out for each further functional element (11.3) adjacent to the starting element (11.1), in which a further position (303) of the further functional element ( 11.3) is determined and / or that a position determination process (110) is carried out for each further functional element (11.3) of the electrical functional structure (10), in which a further position (303) of the further functional element (11 .3) is determined in each case.

3. The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical functional structure (10) has an electrical sensor function and / or an electrical heating function, in particular wherein the functional elements (11) each have at least one sensor unit (13) for Executing the sensor function and / or at least one heating unit (14) for executing the heating function.

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position determination process (110) comprises a forwarding process (111) in which the starting element (11.1) serves as a transmitter element (111.1), the forwarding process (111) being a Sending an initialization signal (201) by the transmitter element (111.1) to the destination object (110.1), in particular wherein the forwarding process (111) is actively carried out by the transmitter element (111.1).

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position determination process (110) comprises an orientation process (112) in which one, in particular rotational, orientation (310) of the object (110.1) in the functional structure (10) takes place as a function of the initialization signal (201), in particular wherein the orientation process (112) is actively carried out by the object to be determined (110.1).

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second position (301, 302) is defined by at least one coordinate (300), in particular by a coordinate tuple, in particular wherein the first position ( 301), the second position (302) or a further position (303) forms a coordinate origin for the coordinate (300).

7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the initialization signal (201) comprises position data (203) of the transmitter element (111.1), in particular on the basis of which the coordinates (300) of the second position (302) are determined.

8. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission of the initialization signal (201) by the transmitter element (111.1) takes place along at least one forwarding direction (311, 312, 313, 314), the initialization signal (201) Direction data (204) of the forwarding direction (311, 312, 313, 314), in particular the direction data (204) being transmitted by the transmitter element

(111.1) can be determined.

9. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forwarding direction (311, 312, 313, 314) is predetermined by a connection position (A, B, C, D) of the transmitter element (111.1) at which the Destination object

(110.1) is connected to the transmitter element (111.1), in particular wherein each of the functional elements (11) has the same number of connection positions (A, B, C, D) in a pre-assembly state.

10. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a blank (40) at least one of the functional elements (11) of the functional structure (10), in particular by a control unit (20) connected to the starting element (11.1) and / or the tailored functional element (11) is recognized.

11. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method (100) comprises the following step:

Establishing (103) a communication channel (210) between the destination object (110.1) and a control unit (20) connected to the start element (11.1), in particular after the position determination process (110).

12. The method (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the initialization signal (201) comprises route data (202) for the communication channel (210) between the control unit (20) and the destination object (110.1), in particular where the route data (202) comprise a shortest signal path.

13. The method (100) according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that when defining (103) the communication channel (210) a tuning process (103.1) takes place between the control unit (20) and the functional elements (11) in order to Normal operation to send measurement data (211) and / or control data (212) along the communication channel (210).

14. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a map (304) is created for the positions (301, 302, 303) of the functional elements (11), in particular wherein the map (304) has a sensor module (22 ) for the local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas of the card (304) and / or a heating module (23) for the local control of the heating function of individual heating areas of the card (304) is made available.

15. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position determination process (110) takes place at least partially via the electrical connection of the functional elements (11).

16. Multiple operation method (500) for operating several electrical functional structures (10) comprising the following steps:

Carrying out (501) a method (100) for operating a functional structure (10) according to one of the preceding claims for each of the functional structures (10),

Merging (502) of spatial data (510) of the functional structures (10) as a function of positions (301, 302, 303) of functional elements (11) of the functional structures (10).

17. Computer program product (400) comprising instructions (401) which, when executed by at least one control device (50) with a plurality of sub-control units (30), which cause at least one control device (50) to execute a method (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 15 and / or a multiple operation method (500) according to claim 16.

18. Device (2) for a delimitation element (1) of a room of a building with a functional structure (10) for performing an electrical function which has several electrically interconnected functional elements (11), and a control unit (20) for controlling the functional structure ( 10), each of the functional elements (11) having a sub-control unit (30), one of the functional elements (11) of the functional structure (10) being a start element

(11.1) for initializing the functional structure (10), the sub-control unit (30) of which can be connected to the control unit (20), the sub-control unit (30) of the start element (11.1) having a start module (31) for receiving a start signal (200) from the control unit (20) and a start position determination module (32) for determining a first position (301) of the start element (11.1) within the functional structure (10) as a function of the start signal (200), at least one adjacent to the start element (11.1) , second functional element (11.2) a position determination module (33) for determining a second position (302) of the second functional element (11.2) as a determination object

(110.1) of a position determination process (110) taking into account the first position (301).

19. The device (2) according to claim 18, characterized in that the functional elements (11) comprise sensor units (13) for performing an electrical sensor function and / or heating units (14) for performing an electrical heating function.

20. The device (2) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that each of the sub-control units (30) of the functional elements (11) has a relay module (34) for carrying out a relay process (111), in which the respective functional element (11) as a transmitter element (111.1) is used and an initialization signal (201) can be sent by the transmitter element (111.1) to the destination object (110.1).

21. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the sub-control units (30) of the functional elements (11) comprises an orientation module (35) for carrying out an orientation process (112), wherein during the orientation process (112) one, in particular rotational orientation (310) of the object to be determined (110.1) in the functional structure (10), in particular as a function of the initialization signal (201).

22. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the sub-control units (30) of the functional elements (11) has several, preferably four, electrical connections (16) for a communication connection with neighboring functional elements (11) and / or with of the control unit (20), in particular wherein each of the functional elements (11) has the same number of connection positions (A, B, C, D) in a pre-assembly state.

23. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (20) has a card module (21) for creating a card (304) for the positions (301, 302, 303) of the functional elements (11), and / or that the control unit (20) has a sensor module (22) for local control of the sensor function of individual sensor areas, in particular depending on the card (304), and / or a heating module (23) for local control of the heating function of individual heating areas, in particular depending on the card (304).

24. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sub-control units (30), in particular together with the control unit (20), form a control device (50) which is designed to implement a method (100) according to a of claims 1 to 15 to carry out.

25. System (3) comprising several devices (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several control units (20) of the devices (2) have a control system (51) for merging (502) spatial data (510) of the functional structures (10) in Form dependence on positions (301, 302, 303) of functional elements (11) of the functional structures (10).